PTA Updates

The Ross playground will be closed tomorrow afternoon (Tues. 5/30) from 3:30-5pm for an end-of-year gathering for the Ross track and field team. Apologies for any inconvenience this causes.

Nominations are open for next year's PTA Executive Board. We are in need of nominations for the VP of Fundraising role.

We are also looking for parent volunteer commitment for the following committees:

• Teacher and Staff Appreciation (August, November and May)

• Spooktacular Halloween Celebration (October)

• Holiday Tree Sale & Bake Sale (November-December)

• Spring Auction (November-April)

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ongoing)

• Library Support (ongoing)

Getting involved in PTA activities is an incredible way to support our school and get to know other Ross parents and families. Help us build and strengthen our school community next year!

To learn more about PTA board positions, committees, or if you have other ideas about how you'd like to support Ross, please email Liz Lowry at PTApresident@rosselementary.org.

As part of the Capital Pride Parade on Sat. June 10th, we're excited to announce a Ross ES Family, Friends and Allies parade contingent we're calling the Ross Red Wagon Pride '23 group. We will be part of the larger DCPS parade group, carrying our Ross banner and pulling two red wagons full of swag/candy to hand out along the route.

We hope all Ross families will consider marching in our Family, Friends and Allies group for a high energy Pride Parade! We will meet up in the neighborhood before the parade starts, around 2:30pm, exact location to be announced.

For more information, or if you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Ross parent Charles Francis at ccfrancis@aol.com.

We are so grateful for all the Ross families and community members who supported this year's Mother's & Father's Day Book Drive! We raised over $5300 for the library fund, allowing us to add 213+ new books to Ross bookshelves for next year. Special thanks to Ms. Juriga and her student ambassadors for the photos sharing wishlist books!

Also, a shout out to all the Ross students -- mostly kindergartners! -- who handed out flyers and and were more convincing to passerby folks than the adult volunteers! Looking forward to getting more kiddos involved next year, and excited to continue this special annual tradition for Ross's young readers. Happy reading!

Earlier this month, local DC parent Jeremy Joseph gave our PTA members an eye-opening presentation on Kids, Smartphones and Social Media, highlighting the latest research, expert opinion, and universally recommended best practices. Parents who joined thought it was incredibly informative and a valuable use of their time. This session was is also timely in light of the US surgeon general's recent advisory on youth and social media.

Access the session recording and Jeremy's presentation deck here:

• Presentation recording
• Presentation deck

The May meeting for the Ross LSAT will be held tomorrow (Tues, May 30) at 5pm. Community members are welcome to join. Find the meeting link here.

Meeting agenda:

• Discuss updates to the Comprehensive School Plan
• DC Council budget vote, its implications for Ross, and priorities for additional Ross funding (closed session if need be)
• Announcements about upcoming elections for next year's LSAT -- nominations are open.

For further information, contact David Alpert at alpert@gmail.com.

The mission of the Ross PTA is to support the education of all Ross students, to support Ross faculty and staff, to foster relationships among parents, staff and community members, and to assist faculty and staff to provide a safe and nurturing environment where all students, families and faculty can thrive and grow.

Email: ptapresident@rosselementary.org
Website: http://rosselementary.org/pta-board/
Location: 1730 R Street NW Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.673.7200
Facebook: facebook.com/RossElementarySchool/
Twitter: @RossESDC